Effect of diosmin on apoptotic signaling molecules in N-nitrosodiethylamine-induced hepatocellular carcinoma in experimental rats

Diosmin: A promising phytochemical for functional foods, nutraceuticals and cancer therapy

Diosmin, a potent bioflavonoid derived from citrus fruits, has gained significant attention for its anticancer potential, reflecting a critical need in the ongoing battle against cancer. Amidst increasing cancer incidence, the quest for safer and more effective treatments has brought diosmin to the forefront, given its unique pharmacological profile distinct from other flavonoids. Diosmin's anticancer mechanisms are multifaceted, involving apoptosis induction, angiogenesis inhibition, and metastasis prevention. Extensive research encompassing cellular studies, animal models, and limited clinical trials underscores its efficacy not only against cancer but also in managing chronic venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids, attributing to its anti-inflammatory properties. Furthermore, diosmin exhibits low toxicity and complements conventional chemotherapy, proposing its utility as an adjunct therapy in cancer treatment protocols. The review delves into the specific anticancer advantages of diosmin, distinguishing it from the broader flavonoid category. It provides a detailed analysis of its implications in preclinical and clinical settings, advocating for its consideration in the oncological therapeutic arsenal. By juxtaposing diosmin with other herbal medicines, the review offers a nuanced perspective on its role within the wider context of natural anticancer agents, emphasizing the need for further clinical research to substantiate its efficacy and safety in oncology.

Intercellular communication in the tumour microecosystem: Mediators and therapeutic approaches for hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), one of the most common tumours worldwide, is one of the main causes of mortality in cancer patients. There are still numerous problems hindering its early diagnosis, which lead to late patients receiving treatment, and these problems need to be solved urgently. The tumour microecosystem is a complex network system comprising seven parts: the hypoxia niche, immune microenvironment, metabolic microenvironment, acidic niche, innervated niche, mechanical microenvironment, and microbial microenvironment. Intercellular communication is divided into direct contact and indirect communication. Direct contact communication includes gap junctions, tunneling nanotubes, and receptor-ligand interactions, whereas indirect communication includes exosomes, apoptotic vesicles, and soluble factors. Mechanical communication and cytoplasmic exchange are further means of intercellular communication. Intercellular communication mediates the crosstalk between the tumour microecosystem and the host as well as that between cells and cell-free components in the tumour microecosystem, causing changes in the tumour hallmarks of the HCC microecosystem such as changes in tumour proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, inflammatory response, gene mutation, immune escape, metabolic reprogramming, and therapeutic resistance. Here, we review the role of the above-mentioned intercellular communication in the HCC microecosystem and discuss the advantages of targeted intercellular communication in the clinical diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Finally, the current problems and prospects are discussed.

Potential and Therapeutic Roles of Diosmin in Human Diseases

Because of their medicinal characteristics, effectiveness, and importance, plant-derived flavonoids have been a possible subject of research for many years, particularly in the last decade. Plants contain a huge number of flavonoids, and Diosmin, a flavone glycoside, is one of them. Numerous in-vitro and in-vivo studies have validated Diosmin's extensive range of biological capabilities which present antioxidative, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and antiulcer properties. We have presented this review work because of the greater biological properties and influences of Diosmin. We have provided a brief overview of Diosmin, its pharmacology, major biological properties, such as anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, antibacterial, anticardiovascular, liver protection, and neuroprotection, therapeutic approach, potential Diosmin targets, and pathways that are known to be associated with it.

Geniposide Ameliorates Liver Fibrosis Through Reducing Oxidative Stress and Inflammatory Respose, Inhibiting Apoptosis and Modulating Overall Metabolism

Liver fibrosis is a progressive liver damage condition caused by various factors and may progress toward liver cirrhosis, and even hepatocellular carcinoma. Many studies have found that the disfunction in metabolism could contribute to the development of liver fibrosis. Geniposide, derived from Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis, has been demonstrated with therapeutic effects on liver fibrosis. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of such liver-protection remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to explored the effect of geniposide on metabolic regulations in liver fibrosis. We used carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄) to construct a mouse model of liver fibrosis and subsequently administered geniposide treatment. Therapeutic effects of geniposide on liver fibrosis were accessed through measuring the levels of hepatic enzymes in serum and the pathological changes in liver. We also investigated the effects of geniposide on inflammatory response, oxidative stress and apoptosis in liver. Furthermore, serum untargeted metabolomics were used to explore the metabolic regulatory mechanisms behind geniposide on liver fibrosis. Our results demonstrated that geniposide could reduce the levels of hepatic enzymes in serum and ameliorate the pathological changes in liver fibrosis mice. Geniposide enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and decreased methane dicarboxylic aldehyde (MDA) levels in liver. Geniposide treatment also decreased the levels of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a) in liver tissue homogenate. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling assay (TUNEL) staining demonstrated that geniposide could reduce the apoptosis of hepatocytes. Geniposide increased the protein expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) and downregulated the protein expression of Bcl-2 Associated X (Bax), cleaved-Caspase 3, and cleaved-Caspase 9. Serum untargeted metabolomics analysis demonstrated that geniposide treatment improved the metabolic disorders including glycerophospholipid metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism, and arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism. In conclusion, our study demonstrated the protective effects of geniposide on liver fibrosis. We found that geniposide could treat liver fibrosis by inhibiting oxidative stress, reducing inflammatory response and apoptosis in the liver, and modulating glycerophospholipid, and arginine, proline, and AA metabolism processes.

The modulatory effect of bee honey against diethyl nitrosamine and carbon tetrachloride instigated hepatocellular carcinoma in Wistar rats

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a serious threat to human health that has attracted substantial interest. The purpose of this study was to investigate the modulatory effect of bee honey against induced HCC by diethylnitrosamine/carbon tetrachloride (DEN/CCl4) in rats. HCC was induced by a single intraperitoneal dose of DEN (200 mg/kg B.W). Two weeks later, CCl4 (1 ml/kg) was intraperitoneally injected (three times a week). Bee honey was administered orally at 2 g/rat before and after the induction of HCC. The results showed that bee honey administration significantly increased body weight, decreased liver weight, and relative liver weight compared to those in the HCC-induced group. Moreover, a significant decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as well as AST, ALT, GGT, ALP activities were observed in bee honey administration rats compared with those in HCC-induced group. Also, the hepatic MDA was significantly decreased; in addition, SOD, CAT, and GPx activities were significantly increased in groups treated with bee honey compared with those in the HCC group. The hepatic histopathology alterations caused by DEN/CCl4 injection were ameliorated by bee honey treatment. Likewise, the mRNA expression levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), transforming growth factor (TGF-β1), intracellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), glypican (GP-3), thioredoxin (TRX), and glutaredoxin (GRX) were downregulated, and caspase-3 was upregulated by bee honey treatment compared with untreated HCC-induced group. In conclusion, bee honey has remarkable beneficial effects against HCC induced in rats through its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic, and antimetastatic effects.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The current study confirmed that honey has the potential to act as an antimetastatic factor. Bee honey supplementation either before or after combined injection of DEN/CCl4 exhibited inhibitory and ameliorative effects against DEN/CCl4-induced HCC through its antioxidant, antiproliferative, anti-metastatic, antifibrotic, and apoptosis properties. To our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the molecular mechanisms underlying honey's effects against DEN/CCl4-induced HCC in rats.

Molecular alterations that precede the establishment of the hallmarks of cancer: An approach on the prevention of hepatocarcinogenesis

Chronic liver injury promotes the molecular alterations that precede the establishment of cancer. Usually, several decades of chronic insults are needed to develop the most common primary liver tumor known as hepatocellular carcinoma. As other cancer types, liver cancer cells are governed by a common set of rules collectively called the hallmarks of cancer. Although those rules have provided a conceptual framework for understanding the complex pathophysiology of established tumors, therapeutic options are still ineffective in advanced stages. Thus, the molecular alterations that precede the establishment of cancer remain an attractive target for therapeutic interventions. Here, we first summarize the chemopreventive interventions targeting the early liver carcinogenesis stages. After an integrative analysis on the plethora of molecular alterations regulated by anticancer agents, we then underline and discuss that two critical processes namely oxidative stress and genetic alterations, play the role of 'dirty work laborer' in the initial cell damage and drive the transformation of preneoplastic into neoplastic cells, respectively; besides, the activation of cellular senescence works as a key mechanism in attempting to prevent the onset and establishment of liver cancer. Whereas the detrimental effects of the binomial made up of oxidative stress and genetic alterations are either eliminated or reduced, senescence activation is promoted by anticancer agents. We argue that collectively, oxidative stress, genetic alterations, and senescence are key events that influence the fate of initiated cells and the establishment of the hallmarks of cancer.

Pharmacology of Diosmin, a Citrus Flavone Glycoside: An Updated Review

Flavonoids are phytochemicals that are well known for their beneficial pharmacological properties. Diosmin is a flavone glycoside derived from hesperidin, a flavanone abundantly found in citrus fruits. Daflon is an oral phlebotonic flavonoid combination containing diosmin and hesperidin (9:1) that is commonly used for the management of blood vessel disorders. After oral administration, diosmin is converted to diosmetin, which is subsequently absorbed and esterified into glucuronide conjugates that are excreted in the urine. Pharmacological effects of diosmin have been investigated in several in vitro and in vivo studies, and it was found to possess anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antidiabetic, antihyperlipidemic, and antifibrotic effects in different disease models. Diosmin also demonstrated multiple desirable properties in several clinical studies. Moreover, toxicological studies showed that diosmin has a favorable safety profile. Accordingly, diosmin is a potential effective and safe treatment for many diseases. However, diosmin exhibits inhibitory effects on different metabolic enzymes. This encourages the investigation of its potential therapeutic effect and safety in different diseases in clinical trials, while taking potential interactions into consideration.

Determination of Diosmin in Pharmaceutical Products with Chemically Modified Voltammetric Sensors

In this paper, the electrochemical behavior of two types of sensors based on modified screen-printed electrodes (one screen-printed electrode based on carbon (SPCE) and another screen-printed electrode modified with Prussian Blue (PB/SPCE)) was studied with the aim of sensitive detection of diosmin, an active pharmaceutical compound from the class of flavonoids. The scan electron microscopy technique was used for the morphological characterization of PB/SPCE. The preliminary analysis assessed the electrochemical behavior of SPCE and PB/SPCE in KCl solution and in a double solution of potassium ferrocyanide-potassium chloride. It was shown that the active area of PB/SPCE is superior to the one of SPCE, the greater sensitivity being related with the presence of the electroactive modifier. Similarly, in the case of diosmin detection, the PB/SPCE sensor detect more sensitivity the diosmin due to the electrocatalytic effect of PB. From the study of the influence of reaction rate on the sensor's electrochemical response, it was shown that the detection process is controlled by the adsorption process, the degree of surface coverage with electroactive molecules being higher in the case of PB/SPCE. From the PB/SPCE calibration curve, it wasdetermined that it has high sensitivity and low detection and quantification limit values (limit of detection 5.22 × 10^-8 M). The applicability of the PB/SPCE sensor was confirmed by sensitive analysis of diosmin in pharmaceutical products. The voltammetric method is suitable for the detection and quantification of diosmin in pharmaceutical products. The method is simple, accurate, and quick and can be used in routine analysis in the examination of the quality of pharmaceutical products and other types of samples.

Protective effect of diosmin against doxorubicin-induced nephrotoxicity

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Dox induces kidney damage.

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Dox leads to a decrease in antioxidant defense mechanism.

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Diosmin administration restores antioxidant properties.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is an anthracycline antibiotic that is primarily used for treating various solid tumors including that of pulmonary, ovary, breast, uterine, cervix, and several blood cancers. However, nephrotoxicity associated with Dox treatment limits its clinical use. Administration of Dox in combination with compounds exhibiting antioxidant properties are being used to minimize the side effects of Dox. Diosmin is a flavonoid glycoside with numerous beneficial properties that is found in the pericarp of many citrus fruits. Diosmin has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects in response to various insults, although the exact mechanism remains unknown. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of diosmin in preventing kidney damage in response to Dox treatment. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, Dox group (20 mg/kg, i.p.), Dox plus low-dose diosmin group (100 mg/kg orally), and Dox plus high-dose diosmin group (200 mg/kg orally). A single intraperitoneal injection of Dox resulted in kidney damage as evidenced by significant alterations in kidney markers, histological abnormalities, and the attenuation of antioxidant defense mechanisms (GSH, SOD, and CAT). Moreover, Dox treatment significantly altered the expression of oxidative stress, inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic protein markers. Diosmin pretreatment alleviated Dox-induced nephrotoxicity by ameliorating the antioxidant mechanism, decreasing inflammation and apoptosis, and restoring kidney architecture. In conclusion, our results indicate that diosmin is a promising therapeutic agent for the prevention of nephrotoxicity associated with DOX.

Inhibitory and ameliorative effect of heliomycin derived from actinomycete on induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats

The hepatoprotective activity of heliomycin obtained from the culture broth of actinomycete AB5 against diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced hepatic cancer in Wistar rats was estimated. Heliomycin exhibited a significant decrease in the levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) compared to the positive control. For instance, the heliomycin group after 20 weeks showed a significant decline in ALT, AST, and ALP values (70.75 ± 5.12, 140.25 ± 11.75, and 163.25 ± 18.66, respectively) compared to the positive control group (170.00 ± 9.55, 252.75 ± 12.33, and 278.00 ± 21.32, respectively). Additionally, the isolated compound showed a highly significant decrease in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels. After 8, 16, and 20 weeks, the mean values of AFP in the heliomycin group revealed a highly significant decrease (33.62 ± 2.46, 30.00 ± 4.05, and 28.50 ± 2.64, respectively) compared to the positive control group (49.45 ± 3.03, 81.90 ± 6.70, and 90.75 ± 5.12, respectively). The histopathological investigation of liver sections supported the results of biochemical analysis. It was demonstrated that heliomycin showed histological improvement of hepatocytes and marked increase of nuclear pyknotic with clear cytoplasm, which is a sign of improving the apoptotic pathway of malignant cells. It also displayed marked fibrosis at most of the malignant cells and the development of some regenerative nodules. Heliomycin showed moderate immunoreactivity with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and proliferation cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) compared to the positive control group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the anticancer activity of heliomycin against hepatocellular carcinoma in vivo.

Diosmin restores the skin barrier by targeting the aryl hydrocarbon receptor in atopic dermatitis

BACKGROUND

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory chronic skin disease that is characterized by the dysfunction or lack of skin barrier proteins. Recent studies have proposed that the pharmacological upregulation of skin barrier proteins is an effective treatment for AD. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that positively regulates the expression of skin barrier proteins upon its activation.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to identify AhR agonists from phytochemicals and investigate its effect on skin barrier restoration as well as its mechanisms of action in AD.

STUDY DESIGN

A publicly available assay database and HaCaT cells stably transduced with a luciferase gene driven by an AhR-target gene promoter (CYP1A1) were used to screen for the activity of AhR agonists from phytochemicals. Normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) and a human skin equivalent (HSE) model were used to investigate the effect of AhR agonists on skin restoration and its underlying mechanisms.

METHODS

A Gaussia luciferase assaywas performed to screen for AhR agonist activity. Western blotting, qRT-PCR analysis, immunofluorescence, drug affinity responsive target stability assay, and siRNA-mediated AhR knockdown were performed in NHEKs. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed to measure epidermal thickness in the HSE model.

RESULTS

Diosmin, a potential AhR agonist derived from natural products, upregulated the expression of skin barrier proteins (filaggrin and loricrin) and their upstream regulator (OVOL1) in NHEKs. Diosmin treatment also increased epidermal thickness in the HSE model. In addition, incubating NHEKs with diosmin restored the expression of skin barrier proteins and mRNAs that were suppressed by Th2 cytokines and inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation that was induced by Th2 cytokines. Diosmin also upregulated the expression of NQO1, a negative regulator of STAT3. Immunofluorescence results showed that diosmin stimulated AhR nuclear translocation, and the drug affinity responsive target stability assay revealed that this phytochemical directly bound to AhR. Furthermore, AhR knockdown abolished diosmin-induced filaggrin and loricrin expression.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that diosmin is a potential treatment for AD that targets AhR.

Diosmetin and Its Glycoside, Diosmin, Improve Atopic Dermatitis- Like Lesions in 2,4-Dinitrochlorobenzene-Induced Murine Models

Naturally derived diosmetin and its glycoside diosmin are known to be effective in treating inflammatory disease. This study was performed to determine whether diosmin and diosmetin have the effect of improving atopic dermatitis in a 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzen (DNCB)-induced atopic dermatitis (AD) model. DNCB was used to establish AD model in hairless mice. Skin moisture, serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), interleukin 4 (IL-4), and histological analysis were performed to measure the effectiveness of diosmin and diosmetine to improve AD. IL-4 levels were also measured in RBL-2H3 cells. Administration of diosmetin or diosmin orally inhibited the progress of DNCB-induced AD-like lesions in murine models by inhibiting transdermal water loss (TEWL) and increasing skin hydration. Diosmetin or diosmin treatment also reduced IgE and IL-4 levels in AD-induced hairless mouse serum samples. However, in the in vitro assay, only diosmetin, not diosmin, reduced the expression level of IL-4 mRNA in RBL-2H3 cells. Diosmin and diosmetine alleviated the altered epidermal thickness and immune cell infiltration in AD. Diosmin is considered effective in the cure of AD and skin inflammatory diseases by being converted into diosmetin in the body by pharmacokinetic metabolism. Thus, oral administration of diosmetin and diosmin might be a useful agent for the treatment of AD and cutaneous inflammatory diseases.

Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction of Taxifolin, Diosmin, and Quercetin from Abies nephrolepis (Trautv.) Maxim: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Characteristics

Extraction behaviors of the 3 flavonoids taxifolin, diosmin, and quercetin have been investigated in Abies nephrolepis leaves and bark. The following operation parameters—ethanol volume fraction, liquid–solid ratio, temperature, ultrasound irradiation power and time, and ultrasound frequency—were varied to study their effect on the yield of the 3 flavonoids during extraction. The results showed that a low extraction efficiency occurred at 293.15 K due to slow kinetics, while the situation was significantly improved at 333.15 K. The kinetic data for the extraction yields of the 3 flavonoids achieved good fits by the first-order kinetic model. From the thermodynamic analysis results, we realized that the ultrasound-assisted extraction of taxifolin, diosmin, and quercetin from the leaves and bark of A. nephrolepis was a spontaneous and endothermic process in which the disorder increased (ΔG⁰ < 0, ΔH⁰ > 0, and ΔS⁰ > 0). According to the response surface methodology (RSM) analysis, under the optimal operation conditions (ethanol concentration of 50%, liquid–solid ratio of 20 mL/g, frequency of 45 kHz, extraction time of 39.25 min, ultrasound irradiation power of 160 W and temperature of 332.19 K), the total yield of the 3 flavonoids were 100.93 ± 4.01 mg/g from the leaves of A. nephrolepis (with 31.03 ± 1.51 mg/g, 0.31 ± 0.01 mg/g, 69.59 ± 2.57 mg/g for taxifolin, diosmin, and quercetin, respectively), and under the optimal operation conditions (ethanol concentration of 50%, liquid–solid ratio of 20 mL/g, frequency of 45 kHz, extraction time of 36.80 min, ultrasound irradiation power of 150 W and temperature of 328.78 K), 16.05 mg/g ± 0.38 mg/g were obtained from the bark of A. nephrolepis (with 1.44 ± 0.05 mg/g, 0.47 ± 0.01 mg/g, 14.14 ± 0.38 mg/g for taxifolin, diosmin, and quercetin, respectively), which were close to the prediction values.

Metabolism and pharmacological activities of the natural health-benefiting compound diosmin

Diosmin is a famous natural flavonoid for treating chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins.

Diosmin induces caspase-dependent apoptosis in human glioblastoma cells

Diosmin is a flavone glycoside clinically used as the main component of Daflon for the treatment of venous diseases. Several studies demonstrated that this natural compound can induce apoptosis in different tumors. However, isolated diosmin has not been studied regarding its effects on glioblastoma so far. Since glioblastoma is a highly lethal and fast-growing brain tumor, new therapeutic strategies are urgently needed. Herein, we evaluated the role of this flavonoid against glioblastoma cells using in vitro assays. Diosmin significantly reduced the viability of GBM95, GBM02, and U87MG glioblastoma cells, but not of healthy human astrocytes, as verified by MTT assay. Vimentin immunostaining showed that diosmin induced morphological changes in GBM95 and GBM02 cells, making them smaller and more polygonal. Diosmin did not inhibit GBM95 and GBM02 cell proliferation, but it caused DNA fragmentation, as verified by the TUNEL assay, and increased cleaved caspase-3 expression in these cells. In summary, diosmin is able to induce caspase-dependent apoptosis specifically in tumor cells and, therefore, could be considered a promising therapeutic compound against glioblastoma.

Diosmin ameliorative effects on oxidative stress and fibrosis in paraquat-induced lung injury in mice

Paraquat (PQ) induces pulmonary fibrosis, a progressive lung disorder resulting in severe respiratory failure and death. Increased oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and multiple fibrotic lesions are major features of PQ-induced lung injury. Diosmin (Dio) is a safe drug that is available for clinical use for vascular disorders. Dio exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic activities. Accordingly, the aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of diosmin on PQ-induced lung injury in mice and the underlying mechanisms involved. Lung injury was induced by PQ (30 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) in NMRI albino mice and Dio (50 and 100 mg/kg, gavage) was administrated 3 days before PQ and continued for 10 or 24 days. After euthanizing the mice, the biochemical and histopathological markers of lung tissue were determined. PQ significantly increased oxidative stress, inflammatory, and fibrotic markers. PQ increased the level of malonedaldehyde (MDA) and hydroxyproline (HYP) and decreased the level of glutathione (GSH) and catalase activity in the lung. Dio (50 and 100 mg/kg) significantly increased GSH levels and catalase activity and decreased HYP content and MDA levels. In addition, Dio reduced histopathological injuries in hematoxylin and eosin-stained and Masson's trichrome-stained sections. These findings suggest that Dio has protective effects against PQ-induced lung injury, which may be due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic effects.